... you never know what you're going to get.
Whether it's game to game, half to half, possession to possession or play to play, the most predicable thing about this team is it's unpredictability and inconsistency. You open up that box of chocolates, determined to enjoy the experience and the first thing you get is some milk chocolate toffee thing. Yuk, You try a few more and they're all those jelly-filled ones that you're not crazy about. You take a break, questioning why you are even trying these things, but you just know it could and should be better. So you go back to the box and Eureka!, you get a dark chocolate nut cluster or a cherry cordial and suddenly everything is better. (note, these are my personal hates and loves).
This was what watching the game against the Cardinals was like. Some horrible things that made you want to spit out your chocolates (3rd downs on both sides of the ball) and then a few bites into those chocolates that make you want to sing (franchise record field goal, late defensive stops in big moments, offense converting fourth down tries).
Has there been a more frustrating 4-1-1 team in NFL History? Unlikely. It feels really strange to say that about a team that has only lost one game out of six, but it's difficult to feel confident about the Packers going into a game against any opponent, good or bad. They don't always play up to their talent and often find ways to make things more difficult for themselves, Like letting the opposing offense extend drives by converting a third and 23 situation. Or coming up with some of the strangest 3rd down plays on offense to sabotage their own drives. It's just super frustrating. They're talented enough to be better than that, but they only show it in spurts. The highs are highs but the lows are lows.
I hate to be that guy complaining about everything after a win, but I guess this week I am. We all got a glimpse of what the Packers can be when they ran over Detroit. While we shouldn't expect that same level of domination every week, is it asking too much for them (players AND coaches) to stop making the same mistakes that are holding them back?
LaFleur described the offense as "choppy" after the game. The word I prefer and one I've used before is "disjointed." There was no rhythm to the offense this game. Plays weren't followed by subsequent plays that made sense. Every year, we can count on a LaFleur play-calling stinker of a game. It doesn't usually come with a win, especially a road win. So let's be grateful for the W.
Matthew Golden - After catching three passes during the Packers' first possession, he mostly spent the rest of the game as a jet sweep decoy. Heath and Wicks gave the Packers little, yet Golden only got four targets in total. Why not take advantage of his 4.29 speed on crossing routes? The Packers seem to have an aversion to crossing routes. Is it Lafleur? Does Love not like to throw them? Enquiring minds want to know.
As for his "Scared Money don't make money" quote, I prefer, "No Guts, No Glory." I was thrilled to see him go for it on fourth down late, but why wasn't it automatic? Why did he have to waste a timeout there? There should have been no conflict in his mind.
Someone please find the person in the Packers Pro Scouting Department who thought Nate Hobbs could be an outside cornerback and get him a job with the Jets. And under no circumstances should he be left to cover a receiver (any receiver) one-on-one without any safety help over the top.
Oh, and FREE CARRINGTON VALENTINE! He's not perfect, but he's better than Hobbs.